Foamcore Lantern How-To

Propmaker and artist, Dave Lowe, has a fantastic how-to on building a fake lantern using foamcore.  This is a tutorial I definitely plan on using for my own yard haunts for years to come.

Helpful hint:  foamcore can get kinda pricey in some stores.  However, some dollar stores will sell it for a dollar a sheet and in either white or black.

Part one of the tutorial starts here.

Link-O-Rama Tuesday!

Here are some very cool links you may have missed from the Lost in Schlock Facebook page:

A neat tutorial that can be utilized in the creation of other animal or creature props:  make your own fake wolf prop 

From the same site that shows you how to make a fake wolf is a how-to on making pillars for your next home haunt or film set:  cemetery pillars 

Here is a fantastic primer on adhesives and epoxies which includes a handy guide that you can print or download to your tablet or smart phone for future reference:  adhesives and epoxies.  (h/t Proplandia)

Here is a perfect tutorial on making a fake shrunken head prop.  Just in time for the Halloween season which is shambling its way around the corner:  shrunken head tutorial.

Build Your Own Shrunken Head - The Legal Way

Here is a neat tutorial on how to build a shrunken head from the blog Dark Artifacts.

Click here to see the full tutorial.

(H/T Prop Agenda)

Build Your Own Vampire Hunting Kit

Every video that Stiltbeast Studios releases each week is solid gold in terms of great prop making techiniques and tips and this latest video just proves that.  Here is a great tutorial on how to make a vampire hunting kit with a low budget.

Graveyard Statues on a Dollar Store Budget

Here is yet another amazing video tutorial from Stiltbeast Studios on how to make a cheap graveyard statue without the need for monster mud.

Adam Savage's Talks Rasputin's Mecha Glove

One of the coolest bonuses of Jamie and Adam's (MYTHBUSTERS) Tested site is the inside look at Adam Savage's man cave/workshop and the replica prop projects that he has meticulously been working on.

What I love about his process is that he actually takes his time to study the prop and takes the time to make sure every detail is as close to the original as possible, even going as far as machining the parts himself or hiring companies to build custom made parts.

Here he is discussing one of his prop projects which is the infamous Mecha Glove that Rasputin used in the film HELLBOY:

UPDATE! Enter the Specter Studios Custom Props Contest Give-Away

Update:  The winner of the custom prop contest is Ed Schrecengost!  It was a tough decision coming down to two contestants.  However as much as I lovede the Youtube video that Kat had made, the baseball bat ultimately goes to Schrecengost for his zombie baseball team haunted hayride idea which sounds like real ghoulish fun.  Congrats to Ed.  Ed if you would please email me at kidschlocko(at)yahoo.com and send me your name and address so that Specter Studios can send you the prop.  Many thanks to everyone who participated.

Specter Studios which has been creating some amazing custom props and masks has joined Lost in Schlock to give away one of their own custom props.  A prop which is valued at $45 dollars.  The prize is a ultra realistic baseball bat which is made from soft foam and latex materials which has a dowel rod core for support.  It is incredibly realistic which includes a nice faux wood grain finish to add to it's realism.

The baseball bat is one of the the many cool and ghoulish custom props one can find at Specter Studios.  Their site can be found at http://specter-studios.com/cart/ and you can become a fan on Facebook by clicking on the like button on their page at http://www.facebook.com/specterstudios 

The Rules of the Game:

To enter the contest just comment below and tell me what kind of project you would use the prop and how.  The project can be a home haunt, a haunted attraction, or even your own indie horror movie.

You can only enter the contest once.

The person who comments below with the best project will win the contest and the winner will be announced on May 25th.  So be sure to return to this page on that day to see if your name has been chosen so that I can get your contact info so that Specter Studios can send you the prize.

All contestants must be within the continental U.S. only.  (those in Alaska or Hawaii cannot enter)

For a better look at the prop and for more details be sure to check out Specter Studios website at or go directly to the prop's own page.

Good luck!

Prop Inspiration: Army of Darkness Mechanical Hand

Here is a amazing look at how Blind Squirrel Props has made a replica of the mechanical hand that Ash used in the film ARMY OF DARKNESS.  Very cool.

Go here for more.

How to Make Faux Steel Panels without Vacummforming

Terra from her Youtube channel has another incredibly AMAZING tutorial on how to make fake weathered and rusty steel panels using pink insulation foam sheets and parts from a hardware store.  This is a very cost effective method considering that the same panels that are made using a vacummforming method can cost around a hundred dollars and upwards.

(via Haunters Digest)

Tutorial:

Steampunk Gauges on the Cheap

Here is a AMAZING way to make steampunkish gauges on the cheap to add to your next prop.

Weathering Props: Fake Moss

Here is a cool trick for anyone needing to add moss to a prop whether it be a tombstone, tree, or anything else.     It's easy and super cheap!

Link:  http://www.halloweenforum.com/tutorials-step-step/112685-faux-carpet-moss-tombstones.html

Creepy Skull Jar Lanterns

Here is a cool tutorial from Ghoul Friday on how to make a collection of creepy skull jar lanterns.

Full details here.

Build a Toe Pincher Coffin from Pink Insulation Styrofoam

A Coffin fit for Dracula

Here is a cool use of pink insulation styrofoam; learn how to make a low cost toe pincher coffin complete with a faux wood grain.  Very cool!

Details here.

Make a Wall of Weapons for Less than Fifty Bucks

Here is another AMAZING Stiltbeast tutorial on how to inexpensively crank out a multitude of hand weapons for less than fifty bucks.  There are also some great tips to weather a prop to be found in the vid.  Enjoy!

(via The Haunter's Digest)

Also see Stiltbeast Studios

Build a Foam Meat Cleaver Replica

Here is a cool tutorial I have stumbled upon on how to build a prop replica of a meat cleaver using foam and a bit of prop weathering know-how. 

Go here for the full tutorial.

Tombstones on a Dime

Propmaker pro Dave Lowe, who I have mentioned before, has just posted a awesome tutorial on turning a Fedex box into a low-cost tombstone.  It's perfect for anyone wanting a yard haunt or in need of some tomstones for their zombie movie but are low on funds. 

Go here for the full how-to.

DIY FAKE STONE WALLS

Here is a nifty way to make more realistic stone walls for your next home haunt or even a mad scientist lab flick. Full details here.

Weathering Props How-To: Grime

Here is a cool video tutorial on griming up a prop or set from Terra's Lab, a home haunter, whom I have previously mentioned in past posts, and is a person that is seriously dedicated to the love of haunts and prop building.  Remember kids weathering props can make a far more realistic prop.  So this is a another skill to put into your toolbox.

(H/T to The Haunter's Digest)

How to Antique a Mirror

Found this cool tutorial that I want to share with you on how to turn a modern mirror into a weathered antique.  The perfect thing for any horror film or home haunter. 

Tutorial found here.

Inspiration: Motel Marquee Sign Update

Last week I mentioned this cool behind-the-scenes look at the making of a rusty and weathered motel marquee sign.  Well, Michael Fitchenfoo (aka Fitchenfoo) has updated his site with newer pics of the sign and it's base complete with fake trash and weeds. 

It truly is one of the best set prop pieces I have ever seen.

Go here to be amazed.